Back to the office… and the nightclub

Thursday 26 August 2021

Nightclubs will be able to swing their doors open for the first time in 17 months this evening, while workers can return to the office, as the majority of Jersey's covid restrictions come to an end.

Ministers approved the move to the final stage of their 'Reconnection Roadmap' earlier this month.

From today:

• people can be served alcoholic drinks from the bar;
• the 20-person limit on gatherings in homes is lifted;
• nightclubs can fully reopen, with dancing allowed;
• large events can be held, subject to risk assessments;
• the legal requirement to wear a mask in indoor public places ends, except in ports and on public transport;
• and the recommendation that islanders work from home if they can ceases. 

Restrictions on the number of people that can attend a gathering in a private garden were previously lifted on 5 August to bring the requirements in line with those for outdoor public spaces.

Pictured: Nightclubs have been forced to close for the past 17 months.

Nightclubs have been continuously closed since 22 March 2020 when they were ordered to shut down, along with bars. While the latter have since been able to reopen with table service only, the so-called ‘Freedom Day’ for nightclubs has been repeatedly delayed since its original date as cases soared again in the island. 

The continued closure and what industry heads saw as a lack of Government support was the source of heavy criticism over the last 17 months. 

Beresford Street-based nightclub Rojo launched a £15,000 fundraising appeal earlier this year after it was left fighting for its survival as a result what Director JP Anquetil described as “limited and totally inadequate” support. 

Ahead of the island entering 'Stage 7' the Government urged businesses to carry out a risk assessment of the workplace and issued guidance. This included ensuring staff and customers do not attend if they are experiencing symptoms or receive a positive test result and include measures to protect employees as well as business continuity, such as workforce screening, remote working, mask wearing and physical distancing where possible 

Businesses should also have a detailed plan outlining how to manage a customer, staff member or other visitor who develops symptoms or receives a positive test result, according to the guidance.

Pictured: Islanders should keep their windows open to allow ventilation.

Meanwhile, islanders have been urged to maximise ventilation by keeping windows open, to support cleanliness and personal hygiene measures, maintain physical distancing where possible and use face masks in crowded or indoor areas where possible.

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf said today's removal of restrictions was only "possible due to islanders adhering to the guidance and taking part in our vaccination programme".

"...This has meant that hospitalisation rates have remained low which is vital to the easing of restrictions. It is important that Islanders continue to follow the Public Health guidance. I’d like to thank Islanders for their continued support,” he added.

While most of the restrictions end today, the legal requirement to provide contact details for track and trace purposes remains, along with the requirement to get tested upon entry into the island and to isolate in case of a positive test. 

Originally set to expire at the end of October, those measures, which were introduced through emergency powers granted to Ministers by the States Assembly, could be extended if States Members agree.

The Health Minister said he was requesting a six-month extension to allow the Government to “respond quickly” to a potential future covid wave and continue to enforce testing at the borders and isolation for infected people. 

The move to the final stage of the Reconnection Roadmap comes as the number of cases has now reduced to just over 300, while more than 81% of adult islanders are fully vaccinated.